Super Short Summary

Tess is a gothic suspense novel by Kirsten McDougall featuring Tess, a nineteen-year-old girl on the run from her past, who is “rescued” by an older widower and dentist Lewis Rose. They form an unlikely friendship in rural Wairarapa, New Zealand, where Lewis lives alone in a historic villa. Tess, who can see flashes of others' thoughts and emotions, unravels Lewis's tragic family history amidst his dark and lonesome thoughts. Set in 1999, this romantic and paranormal gothic thriller explores themes of isolation, healing, and the impact of friendship on past traumas. The book addresses the topics of traumatic family histories and mental health challenges.